To understand why the Triune Brain theory is flawed, let’s consider the reptilian brain. Here’s two reasons why it does not exist: (1) Reptile brains follow the same basic “floor plan” as ours. In fact, the brains of almost all vertebrates follow this same layout. Lizard cortex might not have six sexy layers like ours does, but it’s definitely there, looking all layered and stuff, and sitting right at the top of the brain like ours [4]. (And data from molecular biology strongly supports the idea that, across species, cortex arises from the same tissue during development [5]). And anyways, (2) the basal ganglia were around long before any Komodo dragons were lounging on Australian shores during the Pleistocene (i.e., before animals left the water.) In fact, we now know that pretty much everything we can identify in our own basal ganglia can be found in the basal ganglia of the sole surviving species of one the most ancient vertebrate lineages, the lamprey [6]. I can’t see anyone blaming addiction or frontotemporal dementia on a takeover of our behavior by “our lamprey brain” any time soon though. It just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Apparently, we want to believe that, deep down, we are snakes.

The Neuroethics Blog: Snakes On a Brain, or, Why Care About Comparative Neuroanatomy (Vol.1)

Neuroanatomy is cool.

Source: theneuroethicsblog.com

A recent revolution in avian neuroanatomy [1] confirms that birds have just as much basal ganglia as we do—no more, no less. They don’t have as much neocortex—the wrinkly, layered neural tissue that we think makes us so smart—but there’s still plenty of brain sitting on top of the avian basal ganglia. And they can do plenty with all that extra brain. Comparative cognition has made a cottage industry out of showing that birds are in many ways just as smart, and in some ways smarter, than we are [2]. They use tools! They recognize themselves in mirrors (unlike your stupid cat)! They can differentiate individual grad students (unlike some professors)! And songbirds—which are perhaps the most successful group, evolutionarily speaking—learn their songs from tutors, much like we learn language from our parents. Let’s see your dog do that.

The Neuroethics Blog: Snakes On a Brain, or, Why Care About Comparative Neuroanatomy (Vol.1)

My friends are smart AND funny.

Source: theneuroethicsblog.com

[S]omeone had the idea of introducing children to a real scientist after they had drawn one, and then asking them to have another go at drawing. One of my favourite examples is of the schoolgirl who initially drew a man with frizzy hair and a white coat, but afterwards depicted a smiling young woman holding a test tube. Above it is the word “me”. I still find myself choking up when I show it.

Quentin Cooper, a science journalist and presenter of the BBC radio programme Material World on the unshakeable stereotypes of science. (via poptech)

This is beyond wonderful.

(via poptech)

gigidowns: Epidermal electronics, as they are called, match skin’s mechanical properties and can be applied the same way you would apply a temporary tattoo. Users place the device on the skin and rub it on with water; it can stay attached for more than 24 hours on most parts of the body. You can even sport the device incognito by hiding it under an actual temporary tattoo. frankgruber: Scientists Develop Cyborgian Tattoos
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gigidowns:

Epidermal electronics, as they are called, match skin’s mechanical properties and can be applied the same way you would apply a temporary tattoo. Users place the device on the skin and rub it on with water; it can stay attached for more than 24 hours on most parts of the body. You can even sport the device incognito by hiding it under an actual temporary tattoo.

frankgruber:

Scientists Develop Cyborgian Tattoos

Source: techcocktail.com